A Chilean appeals court has unanimously refused to drop charges against former dictator General Augusto Pinochet.

The 89-year-old former ruler was charged a week ago with one count of murder and nine counts of kidnapping, stemming from the 1970s "Operation Condor," coordinated by Latin American military leaders to repress political opposition. More than 3,000 people were killed in Chile for political reasons during General Pinochet's 17-year rule, which ended in 1990.

General Pinochet's lawyers tried to get the indictment against him thrown out, but the court upheld it. Now, the general's lawyers say they will also appeal today's ruling within 24 hours - this time to Chile's Supreme Court.

Military doctors said General Pinochet suffered a mild stroke Saturday, but Monday they said he is no longer in critical condition.